damp squib

damp squib

Someone or something that disappoints or does not meet expectations. The film got a lot of hype, but I thought it was a bit of a damp squib.
See also: damp, squib
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a damp squib

mainly BRITISH
COMMON A damp squib is something which is much less impressive or exciting than it was expected to be. As a rebellion, it was something of a damp squib. The whole campaign turned out to be a damp squib. Note: A squib is a small firework. A damp squib would not go off properly, and so it would be a disappointment.
See also: damp, squib
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a damp squib

an unsuccessful attempt to impress; an anticlimax.
This expression stems from the idea that a squib, a type of small firework, will not have the desired explosive effect if it is damp.
See also: damp, squib
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a damp ˈsquib

(British English, informal) an event, experience, etc. that is expected to be interesting or exciting, but is in fact boring or ordinary: In the end, the party turned out to be rather a damp squib.
A squib is a type of small firework. If it is damp, it will not burn properly.
See also: damp, squib
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a damp squib
  • squib
  • damp
  • damp down
  • damping
  • get hype
  • hype artist
  • finger wave
  • rub off on (someone)
  • letdown
References in periodicals archive
In the event Boyd's World Cup was a damp squib. He got into trouble initially with team officials for not wearing a sponsor's T- shirt and then he played a total 55 minutes as a substitute in all three matches.
WORLD CUP CLASSICS; Bad-boy Walt wilted under expectations
A Government spokesman admitted: "It has turned out to be something of a damp squib. Even though people have demanded tighter bail laws, they don't seem very interested in going to the polls."
Voters set to snub poll over bail
THE much heralded boycott at St James' Park on Sunday was a very damp squib.
The fans' protest was damp squib
AFTER months of contemplation and all the hue and cry against the corrupt practices of previous ruling parties, the government's rhetoric of 'Naya Pakistan' seems to be a damp squib.
PTI performance
SIR DAVE BRAILSFORD insisted protests against Team Ineos had been a damp squib on a rainy Tour de Yorkshire opener.
DAVE GIVES PROTESTERS RAIN CHECK; CYCLING THE TOUR OF YORKSHIRE
Martin Lewis, founder of MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.com, said the price cap "will now feel like a damp squib to most people".
PRICE CAP 'CON' Anger as regulator waves through PS117 hike to bills
Once PakistanA's unpredictable batting crumbled, WednesdayA's match turned into a damp squib for a near-capacity crowd comprising of Indian and Pakistani expats living in the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan got a wakeup call before main round, says Sarfraz
Summary: London [United Kingdom], Aug 13 (ANI): The much talked about Referendum 2020, designed and conceived by Pakistan, turned out to be a damp squib as it failed to draw an anti-India support.
Referendum 2020 exposes Pak hand as protests fail
nibble 'no scorer' at 30/1 (188bet), and cheer for a damp squib.
SOMETIMES a price is just [...]; ALEX HANKIN UNEARTHS SOME WEEKEND STONKERS... AND STINKERS
"It was a damp squib, proposing that Europeans obtain the status of 'third-country nationals' in the UK, with fewer rights than British citizens are offered throughout the EU."
'A damp squib' -- EU parliament reacts to UK proposal on citizens
After a roaring start to July, with its hottest ever day on July 1 of 36.7C at Heathrow, much of the rest of the month was a damp squib.
Promise of weekend sunshine
This does not stop Scottish MPs, like Gordon Brown, and the SNP objecting to the Tory damp squib English votes for English laws.
Greeks not as lucky as Scots; Letters
And after it was agreed by the council's Cabinet today , it will now go to the full council on February 12 - despite one councillor, Steve Kay, calling it a "total damp squib."
One hour of free parking is proposed
AFTER Black Friday, Cyber Monday and panic Saturday, the poor old Boxing Day sales are a bit of a damp squib.
STYLIST
The keenly anticipated meeting with Russell Brand on BBC Question Time turned out to be a damp squib because, despite ranting on and reading from notes, Russell Brand had nothing constructive to say.
No fizz in Nigel's big moment